Thomas Whitaker

Thomas Arthur “Tom” Whitaker died on April 22, 2026, at the age of 73. He was born in Topeka, in September 1952, the son of Dale and Jessie Whitaker. He grew up in Hutchinson and was proud to be a lifelong Kansan. In October 2023 he was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. He wished that he had insisted on PSA tests. He wanted to urge all men to continue getting their PSA levels checked.

Tom began working as a paperboy at the age of 10, became an Eagle Scout at 17, Graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1970, attended Hutchinson Community College and ran a women’s apparel shop in Hutchinson before moving to Topeka in the 1970s. His work history in Topeka included working at Ray Beers where his love of being a sharp dressed man took root and never left him. He also worked at Payless Shoe Source.

In 1982, he was hired as the director of government relations for the Kansas Motor Carriers Association. He went on to serve as the lobbyist for KMCA for 40 years. In 2000, he also became the KMCA executive director, a position he held until his retirement in November 2022. He absorbed the trucking industry’s regulations and laws and became a trusted source of information for members and Kansas legislators.

Tom fulfilled many of his travel dreams. Between 2022 and 2025 he went to San Diego, the Big Island of Hawaii, to Mexico on an Outlaw Country Cruise, to Alaska, to New Zealand and Australia, two trips to Nashville to take in shows at the Ryman Auditorium, a trip to Las Vegas to see the Eagles at Sphere, a trip to Indianapolis during the total eclipse, a trip to the Grand Canyon, a trip to Palm Desert, CA, and two trips to Colorado.

Throughout his life he greeted each day with a joyful, optimistic spirit and a smile on his face. His humor never failed him, and he was always kind and considerate especially to those who cared for him over the last two and a half years. Tom made sure his family and friends knew how much he cared for them. He lived with grace, generosity, humor and kindness.

Tom is survived by his wife of 23 years, Vicki, his stepdaughter Jess, his brother Mark (Barb), sister-in-law Karla, father and mother-in-law Stan and Judy Allen, nieces Tracy, Katarina, and Paige, nephews Spencer and Blake and their spouses and children. He was preceded in death by his parents Jessie and Dale and his brother Neal.

If you would like to donate to his memory please give to the Stormont Vail Foundation, 1500 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66604. Designate the donation to the Palliative Care Program. Palliative Care made a huge difference in the quality of Tom’s life throughout his cancer journey.